QPR form and horrible history makes Leeds loss likely

QPR have won just one of their last 10 meetings with Leeds United. The Whites have six victories from these, and scored two or more as many times too.

Back Brian McDermott’s men with Coral at 4/1 for victory at Loftus Road and to net a total of over 1.5 goals is a tasty 7/2. These prices are outstanding value and here are some reasons why.

Harry Redknapp’s Hoops have seen their tilt at an automatic return to the Premier League hit the rocks following three straight defeats, so they are now 13/8 for promotion. Moreover, they have failed to keep a clean sheet at home since early December.

An odds-on price for a home win at 5/6, then, seems way too short. This is only reinforced further by news from QPR’s treatment table. Leading marksman Charlie Austin (shoulder), midfielder Alejandro Faurlin (knee), winger Matty Phillips (ankle) and defender Danny Simpson (back) are all still out injured.

Diminutive striker Andy Johnson is also doubtful, so Redknapp is set to play loan signings Kevin Doyle and Ravel Morrison in attack again. Back the maverick midfielder to break his duck for the west Londoners at 13/8 anytime.

Punters will not be surprised to learn controversial midfielder Joey Barton is banned for this game too. That recent Hoops slump has led to speculation about Redknapp’s future in the Loftus Road dugout, which he moved swiftly to brush aside and derided as “absolute rubbish”.

Leeds may hand a debut to striker Connor Wickham, who joined from Sunderland for the rest of the season and had a prolific spell (eight in 11) at Sheffield Wednesday earlier in the campaign. He is a 15/8 shot to cap his bow with a goal.

Before punters bet on Whites players scoring, however, they must consider a shocking statistic. United’s forward options (Wickham, Matt Smith, Cameron Stewart, Ross McCormack, Jimmy Kebe, Noel Hunt and El Hadji Diouf) have managed to find the net once against QPR between them.

It was Leeds captain McCormack who scored that, spoiling the Hoops’ promotion party at the end of 2010/11 season. If you fancy the Championship top-scorer to net another winner here, then back him at 6/1 to score last.

Jack Butland kept a clean sheet on his Whites debut last time out in a goalless draw at Middlesbrough. If you fancy the England cap to shut QPR out in a similar fashion, take odds of 10/3. Leeds to win to nil in west London, meanwhile, is a 13/2 chance.